1. Any action or proceeding, civil or criminal, authorized by sections 416.011 to 416.161, shall be brought in the circuit court for the circuit in which any defendant resides, engages in business or has an agent, unless otherwise specifically provided herein.

2. Any action brought under sections 416.011 to 416.161 shall be barred unless commenced within four years after the cause of action accrued. No cause of action barred under existing law on August 13, 1974, shall be revived by sections 416.011 to 416.161.

Terms Used In Missouri Laws 416.131

  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • State: when applied to any of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories, and the words "United States" includes such district and territories. See Missouri Laws 1.020
  • Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
  • Statute of limitations: A law that sets the time within which parties must take action to enforce their rights.

3. Whenever any civil or criminal proceeding is commenced by the state to prevent, restrain or punish violations of sections 416.011 to 416.161, but not including an action under section 416.121, brought by the state, the running of the statute of limitations in respect to every private right of action arising under sections 416.011 to 416.161 based in whole or in part on any matter complained of in such proceedings shall be suspended during the pendency thereof and for one year thereafter; except, however, that whenever the running of the statute of limitations in respect of a private cause of action arising under sections 416.011 to 416.161 is suspended hereunder, any action to enforce such cause of action shall be forever barred unless commenced either within the period of suspension or within four years after the cause of action accrued.

4. No action under sections 416.011 to 416.161 shall be barred on the ground that the activity or conduct complained of in any manner affects or involves interstate or foreign commerce.